General Motors has released a series of images providing a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the 1988 Cadillac Voyage concept vehicle. The images, shared on the official GM Design Instagram account (@generalmotorsdesign), showcase the vehicle’s development from a clay model to the final product. Notably, the 1988 Cadillac Voyage concept was designed under the leadership of Design VP Chuck Jordan.
For those who may be unfamiliar, Charles Morrell Jordan began his career at GM in 1949 after receiving an invitation from Harley Earl’s assistant, Howard O’Leary. Once onboard, Jordan climbed the ranks, eventually becoming director of design at Cadillac in 1957 and later signing on as Vice President of Design in 1986. Jordan continued as VP of Design until 1992. During his career at General Motors, Jordan made several notable contributions, with a few examples including the 1958 C1 Corvette, the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, the Cadillac Seville STS, and the Oldsmobile Aurora.
Now, GM Design is highlighting the creative process behind the Cadillac Voyage concept, which was introduced in the late ‘80s. One image shows the concept as a clay model, with a team of GM designers meticulously carving the vehicle’s shape. In the background, we see a smaller model while inspirational photos adorn the walls. The subsequent images reveal the final product, emphasizing the sleek and futuristic design elements that characterized the concept.
The 1988 Cadillac Voyage Concept presents a wedge-like silhouette with an extended nose section and squared-off rear end. The wheels are tucked up under the body, while a single unbroken styling line connects the front and rear end in the flanks.
“From the base of the windshield to the bottom of the tail lamps was one continuous piece of smooth, high-impact, tinted glass,” GM Design explains. “The aerodynamic shape was enhanced by moveable front wheel skirts and the absence of external door handles.”
Check out the images right here:
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Comments
Was never a Jordan Fan. He tried to be a Earl and was just an arrogant fool. Even Mitchell was a bit odd. There must be a rule to be an artist you have to be a bit crazy.
After reading All Corvettes are Red I really learn to dislike this man.
Can’t say that I’ve read that book but having spent a lot time in design review meetings at the DS when Jordan, Cherry and Welburn were the leaders I’d certainly concur on Jordan.
That guy and his ever-loving fascination with wheel skirts or as we called them internally, clipped wheel arches. Whatever you want to call them they were from a bygone era but you couldn’t tell Jordan that. As you know they subsequently found their way into several GM models most of which performed poorly in the market.
My favorite Jordan story was actually getting my DS access privileges pulled by his majesty himself (but not for long) because I dared express my opinion about a lousy design proposal at a meeting. Lol, all part of playing the game.
I know they were all a little quirky till Cherry. Ed was a bit kinder and gentler.
My favorite designer was Schinella. He was always friendly and knew how to work Jordan and Mitchell.
Read the book. It is a clear picture of the damaged GM culture and how a few guys broke rules to save the Corvette.
John was a great designer. Nice guy, well spoken and VERY talented. Too bad he was mainly a Pontiac guy (just kidding).
To a young car enthusiast, engineer and product planner working with some of these legendary guys was a bit like being traded to the Yankees.
Sadly, no reference to its appearance in Demolition Man with a bunch of other GM concepts….
1. Beautiful Car 2. A Dream if had any possibility to do with Design, but the reality was another.
Some of the lines of this concept appear to me to have been worked into later Oldsmobiles…
The 1993-1996 Fleetwood and 1991-1992 Caprice Classic have themes from it as well.
100%
The 1996 Lincoln Sentinel Concept Car must have really scared the crap out of Cadillac Styling when it was shown.
It had the classic vertical Eldorado tail light treatments and many of the “creased trousers” features that, IMHO, Cadillac was moving away from…as evidenced in this thing.
The “Art and Science” era was an about face and resulted in some great bench mark designs that have aged well.
This doesn’t have the traditional Cadillac vertical taillights because its supposed to be a future Seville, which never had traditional style Cadillac vertical taillights from 1976-2004 until the RWD STS in 2005.
Lincoln ripping off Cadillac styling is supposed to “scare the crap out of Cadillac”?
The Sentinel was hideous also.
I think this thing might be better going backwards than forwards.
Caprice/Roadmaster of which I have a ’91 Cappy wagon.
That’s 100% exactly what I was thinking!
This concept vehicle was based on the B/D-car program of which Cadillac had the Brougham, and it reeks of the Brougham. Of course, the studios never put wipers, ORV mirrors, nor door handles on their concept cars.
GM was concerned that people would confuse it with the Plymouth Voyager.
Looks like a buick roadmaster…